Baskonia examines its leadership against the bottom team
MADRID, 4 Jan. (.) –
Cazoo Baskonia visits this Thursday (7:00 p.m.) Alba Berlin at the Mercedes-Benz Arena to open the 2023 year of the Regular Phase of the Euroleague 2022-2023 with matchday 17 and continue at the top of the standings, in a duel against the bottom team and with the people from Vitoria at their best moment of the season.
The team led by Joan Peñarroya is the leader of the Euroleague along with Barcelona and Monaco, all with a record of 11-5. In addition, the Basque team also reached Real Madrid and Barça in the 2022-2023 Endesa League leadership and sealed their ticket to the Badalona Copa del Rey by beating Coviran Granada at home (84-95) this Tuesday.
With a differential Markus Howard (15.5 points and 45.7% in triples), after his exhibition to close 2022 against Real Madrid in the Euroleague and his 32 points in less than 23 minutes on court against Granada in ACB, the people from Vitoria They entrust the American base to extend their undefeated. Twelve victories in a row and a spotless December are the numbers of a Basque team that wants to impose its law in Berlin.
A tough process for the German team that despite overcoming its twelve consecutive defeats in the middle of the season, looks from the bottom of the table to the leader of the highest European competition. Israel González’s men will try to speed up their options and continue their good run of results after their two consecutive league wins (Frankfurt and Syntainics MBC) and their European victory against Asvel Basket (79-91).
Three victories in a row that allow the Teutons to reach the clash with morale, despite having the worst record in the entire Euroleague (4/12). Baskonia would do well to control Jaleen Smith (12.4 points), Tamir Blatt (8.9) or the giant Christ Koumadje (2.23 meters, with an average of 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds), some of the most important rivals in the German team.
There are 10 occasions on which Baskonia has faced Alba Berlin with a balance of 6 wins and 4 losses for the team led by Joan Peñarroya. Thus, the Catalan coach will be able to count on all the players for the match on German soil.
DATA SHEET:
–TEAMS:
CAZOO BASKONIA: Thompson, Howard, Giedraitis, Dani Díez and Kotsar –possible starting five–; Hommes, Henry, Costello, Sedekerskis, Marinkovic, Kurucs and Enoch.
ALBA BERLIN: Smith, Sikma, Olinde, Lammers and Koumadje –possible starting five–; Lo, Procida, Delow, Wetzell, Thiemann, Blatt, and Zoosman.
–REFEREES: Belosevic, Silva and Koljensic.
–HALL: Mercedes-Benz Arena.
–TIME: 19.00/DAZN.
